New STAR WARS IDENTITIES Posters Ask “What Forces Shape You?”

While George Lucas toils day and night thinking of ways to make iconic scenes from his classic Star Wars films just a little bit worse, there are plenty of folks out there who are doing more interesting, worthwhile stuff with the beloved intergalactic heroes and villains of their youth. National treasure Topher Gracefor one. Another is Montreal-based X3 Productions, which has provided us with these elegant, thought-provoking posters, featuring the prominent inhabitants of the Star Wars universe rendered with an eye on the major “forces” that make them who they are.

The posters are designed to promote X3’s forthcoming “Star Wars Identities” exhibit, which provides fans with an interactive experience studying how “the origins of the characters, the influences that shape them, and the choices they make during their life” have coalesced to forge the identity of each,” seemingly with particular focus on the divergent paths of Luke and Anakin Skywalker. It will also feature around 200 original props, costumes and art used in the films. And maybe, just maybe attendees will learn something about their own identities in the process. Hit the jump for the posters and more information on “Star Wars Identities”.

The following posters come courtesy of The Star Wars Blog (via Movies.com). “Star Wars Identities” will be at the Montreal Science Centre from April 19 through September 16, 2012. Subsequently, it will open at Edmonton’s Telus World of Science from October 27, 2012 through April 1, 2013. Tickets can be purchased here. Check out the official press release below for more information:

STAR WARS(TM) Identities: The Exhibition

A character-driven adventure into identityComing soon to the Montréal Science Centre!

MONTREAL, Nov. 21, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ – For thirty-five years, audiences around the world have followed the adventures of Luke and Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi heroes of a galaxy far, far away. And now, a new exciting exhibition comes to our own galaxy with STAR WARSTM Identities, a redefined modern exhibition experience in which we will rediscover the unforgettable characters of Star Wars in a whole new way. From the team that brought you Indiana JonesTMand the Adventure of Archaeology, this new innovative exhibition, made possible by Lucasfilm Ltd. and produced by Montreal’s X3 Productions, will make use of an extensive collection from the Lucasfilm Archives to explore the sciences of identity through the characters of Star Wars. The world premiere of this exhibition will be held at the Montréal Science Centre, starting on April 19, 2012.

A stunning collection from the Lucasfilm Archives, a customized, interactive identity quest, and insightful scientific content will all work together in STAR WARS Identities to follow the dramatic journeys of Luke and Anakin Skywalker, cinema’s most famous father and son duo. Visitors will develop a better understanding of what makes the characters of Star Wars who they are, and at the same time explore their own identity with one question, at once simple and profound: What forces shape you?

The Components of Identity
Working with the Montréal Science Centre exhibition developers and a committee of scientific advisers, STAR WARS Identities has divided its study of identity into three major themes: the origins of the characters, the influences that shape them, and the choices they make during their life. Within these three themes, ten components of human identity are explored: species, genes, parents, and culture in Origins; mentors, friends, and marking events inInfluences; and occupation, personality, and values in the final zone, Choices.

These components form the backbone of the exhibition, exploring the complex notion of identity both in the real world and in creative fiction. Original content throughout the exhibition will shed light on each of the components of identity; simultaneously, “making-of” featurettes explore the stories behind the development of many iconic Star Warscharacters, explaining how they became who they are, and showing how different creative choices might have made them different characters altogether.

Kyra Bowling, Exhibits Manager at Lucasfilm Ltd., says “the Star Wars saga continues to captivate audiences who find connection to its richly diverse cast of wonderful characters. Star Wars provides a natural lens through which to explore the themes of personal identity and character. This innovative exhibition lets visitors of all ages investigate, in a fun and educational way, the factors and forces that help shape who we are as individuals.”

A vast and exclusive collection of some 200 objects from the Lucasfilm Archives features props, models, costumes, and artwork from the Star Wars films. This rich collection spans the entire Star Wars canon, drawing from the classic (1977-83) and prequel (1999-2005) trilogies, as well as the animated feature The Clone Wars (2008) and the ongoing television series of the same name. Fan favourites like Darth Vader, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Yoda, the Millennium Falcon, andAnakin Skywalker’s full-sized Podracer – among others – are sure to delight visitors of all generations.

An Interactive QuestSTAR WARS Identities will place the visitor at the centre of the exhibition experience with an interactive identity quest that spans the duration of the visit. Closely interwoven with the collection and the educational content, this unique interactive experience will use technology to help visitors of all ages create their own personal and original Star Wars identity by incorporating elements of their own identity with fictional elements. Visitors will then leave with their own unique character inspired by the Star Wars universe and with a deeper understanding of the exhibition’s central theme.

A Team of Experts
In order to develop the exhibition’s scientific content, X3 Productions has collaborated with the Montréal Science Centre content experts to gather a team of specialists from a variety of scientific fields, including genetics, neuropsychology, health sciences, and psychology. Their knowledge and expertise have shaped the exhibition’s structure, and their input has been essential in developing its scientific content and in ensuring that its investigation into identity is up to date and firmly rooted in the sciences.

A Cultural Touchstone
The Star Wars movieshave broken box office records and won countless awards over the decades, but it is in the public’s imagination that the franchise has truly made its mark, enchanting audiences of all ages and establishing itself as a cultural touchstone all across the world. The stories continue to resonate today because of their universality: we identify with the characters of Star Wars, and we recognize ourselves in their journeys.

“This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the beloved characters of Star Wars,” says Jacques-André Dupont, Executive Producer of X3 Productions. “We get a deeper understanding of their identities, and, at the same time, we get a deeper understanding of our own. The collection, the interactive components, and the scientific content work hand in hand here to create a seamless and exciting experience for our visitors. It’s a character-driven adventure into identity.”

Information and Ticket SalesSTAR WARS Identitieswill premiere at the Montréal Science Centre from April 19 through September 16,2012.Tickets are on sale now! For complete schedule and ticket information, visit their website atwww.montrealsciencecentre.com or contact them at (514) 496-4724 or (877) 496-4724.

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